| National parks and family vacations just seem to | | | | FDR Memorial in Washington DC, the project |
| go hand in hand. In fact, most people over the | | | | includes a new 3/4-mile paved trail to the bridge |
| age of 35 have at least one fond childhood | | | | at lower Yosemite Falls. The gentle grade allows |
| memory of a national park family vacation. | | | | for wheelchair-access and the wide trail has many |
| Today, many parents long to recreate that | | | | pull outs, resting spots and benches along the |
| magical childhood vacation experience with their | | | | way. Indeed, for the first time there is |
| own children; but at the same time they worry | | | | barrier-free access to the base of Yosemite Falls. |
| about appropriate access. Are our national parks | | | | Crater Lake National Park has varied accessibility; |
| really wheelchair-accessible? The answer is a | | | | and the wheelchair-accessible Rim Village Trail and |
| qualified "yes." Access varies from park to park, | | | | Watchman Overlook provide stunning views of |
| so advance planning is a must; however, generally | | | | the lake. And over in the Great Smoky Mountains |
| speaking most national parks are a great choice | | | | National Park, visitors can walk or roll along the |
| for accessible and affordable family fun. | | | | Cades Cove Loop on Wednesday and Saturday |
| Finding appropriate accessible lodging is a prime | | | | mornings from May until September. During this |
| concern for many national park visitors. Camping | | | | time, this 11 mile loop is closed to automobile |
| is the traditional way to enjoy a national park, and | | | | traffic; and it's one of the most scenic trails in the |
| some national parks have accessible campsites. | | | | park. And Although the natural entrance to |
| Most often, "accessible," means the campground | | | | Carlsbad Caverns is not accessible, visitors can |
| has a level campsite, accessible parking and an | | | | reach the Big Room by elevator. This huge |
| accessible bathroom. Some national parks go a bit | | | | cavern has spectacular rock formations, and a |
| further and have specialty campsites. For | | | | large section of it is wheelchair-accessible |
| example, Rocky Mountain National Park offers | | | | No matter which national park you choose to visit, |
| accessible back country camping at the | | | | advance research is a must. The best place to |
| Handicamp at Sprague Lake. | | | | start is on the National Park Service website |
| Some national parks also have lodges or hotels | | | | (which is NPS dot gov). Some parks have access |
| within the park. Although these facilities are | | | | information listed, while others only have contact |
| required to be accessible under Section 504 of | | | | phone numbers. Sometimes you just have to pick |
| the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, accessible rooms | | | | up the phone and talk directly with a park |
| are often limited and difficult to reserve. | | | | employee to find out about access. |
| Sometimes the best option is to look for | | | | Park rangers can also be a good source of access |
| accessible lodging close to a national park. On the | | | | information. For example, even though I've |
| plus side, lodging located just outside of national | | | | frequented Yosemite National Park for over 40 |
| parks is usually cheaper than the in-park choices. | | | | years, last year a park ranger clued me in about |
| Accessible facilities and trails vary from park to | | | | the access at Washburn Point. Located just a half |
| park, but most parks offer at least an accessible | | | | mile below Glacier Point, Washburn Point is nicely |
| visitors center. Many parks also offer accessible | | | | accessible, has spectacular views and is less |
| interpretive trails near the visitors center. Some | | | | crowded than nearby Glacier Point. The ranger |
| parks, like the Everglades go a bit further. | | | | was well-versed in access issues because his |
| Although this park is composed largely of swamp | | | | sister is a wheelchair-user. Remember, it never |
| and marsh areas, there are a number accessible | | | | hurts to ask about access. You might just be |
| boardwalk trails throughout the Everglades, | | | | surprised by the answers you get. |
| including the Anhinga Trail. This half-mile boardwalk | | | | Finally, don't forget about the America the |
| winds through sawgrass pines and is home to a | | | | Beautiful Access Pass, which you can find at the |
| wealth of bird life. It's also a great place to get an | | | | NPS website, it's a lifetime pass for free admission |
| up-close-and-personal look at the resident | | | | to all national parks, monuments, historic sites, |
| alligators. | | | | recreation areas and wildlife refuges. This money |
| Over in Yosemite National Park, the newest | | | | saving pass is available free to any US resident |
| access upgrade was unveiled in April 2005 -- the | | | | with a permanent disability, and it can be obtained |
| culmination of the massive ten-year $13.5 million | | | | at any National Park entrance. Don't leave home |
| Yosemite Falls Restoration Project. Designed by | | | | without your America the Beautiful Access Pass. |
| the same landscape architect who worked on the | | | | |